Looking to solve traffic problems in Cebu

Someone once told me that the reason why we are losing the war against drugs is simply that the price of illegal drugs has reduced, meaning the law of supply and demand is working feverishly to the advantage of drug lords. That the headlines of newspapers were about the P39-million drug haul in Barangay Tisa is proof that the so-called infamous drug lords have been replaced and new ones are operating with uncanny efficiency.

Because of this recent haul in illegal drugs, the Cebu City Police Office once more called upon people renting apartments or rooms to report any particular person or persons who may be in Cebu for the illegal drug business. If you’ve been watching the Netflix series “Narcos” you would know that these drug lords have more than one place to hide. Many of these places are often luxurious condos or apartments and, yes, they drive around in expensive vehicles. In short, to fight the war against drugs, we must be well-trained on what drug pushers or addicts need and react accordingly as the need arises.

Incidentally, last Saturday, I was beside Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, III on the guest table for the Manila Yacht Club change of command and congratulated him for appointing my good friend Atty. Paul Oaminal as a point person in fighting illegal drugs for the Senate. I will be interviewing Paul in his new role in the fight against illegal drugs, a fight that needs the cooperation of people who don’t want this cancer of evil to flourish.

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I heard that starting next month until February 2019 Taiwan-based firm Leotek will start implementing the intelligent traffic system by installing closed circuit television cameras at the intersection of General Maxilom and M.J. Cuenco avenues. We learned that the Cebu City government and Mayor Tomas Osmeña have signed the Memorandum of Agreement with Dyna-Tech Innovation Corp., the authorized representative of Leotek for this project.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has chosen that intersection for Leotek to hold its two-month test run for the smart traffic system due to the traffic volume in that area. The city government tapped Leotek in order to improve the traffic system, knowing that traffic has been a major concern at present.

Leotek specializes in “smart street lights and smart city solutions” involving advanced LED street lights, expandable with various sensors, cameras, and others.

Mind you since there is no overpass planned to be constructed in that area, then I guess that this is the best thing to do for lack of any other solution for traffic congestion. With the installment of CCTV cameras, the authorities can monitor and analyze the flow of traffic in the area. During the test run, the city will benefit from the reduction of human resources manning the traffic, monitoring traditional cameras, and the improvement of accuracy in monitoring and analyzing traffic behaviors, among others.

What I would like to do is meet with Leotek General Manager David Yeh since he has vowed to deliver good service. I would like to hear from him directly how he can improve the traffic flow in the area without infrastructure support. Call it challenging, but maybe they have a better way to solve the traffic problem there.

Meanwhile, traffic in Cebu City has been on an up and down level. Hopefully, with the coming typhoon that is set to arrive tomorrow, things would be cleared. But then again traffic in this city is very unpredictable. I understand that there is someone who proposed to use a sea transport system from Cebu City to Talisay. At this point when there is no other proposal in the horizon, let’s push for this in the hope that it will ease the bad traffic that has hounded the South Reclamation Project.

At this point, we should also consider proposals given by a former gubernatorial candidate to reclaim land from Talisay City all the way to Cacar City, which unfortunately was not given any importance because the candidate lost his bid. But the idea is not only good; it will create a new business atmosphere in Cebu Province. At this point, it is hoped that soon-to-be Cebu governor Gwen F. Garcia will revive this proposal for a new phase in the economic growth of Cebu Province.

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